A Nevada man sparked outrage by claiming to be suffering more than the family of the 5-year-old boy he hit and killed outside a school while driving under the influence of alcohol.
Guillermo Chochi Senobua, 47, was sentenced to five to twelve and a half years in prison for the death of Kamari Jordyn Wolfe, according to court records. Kamari’s mother had dropped off the boy, known as KK, at a North Las Vegas school around 7 a.m. on Oct. 6, 2023, when Senobua drove his work van around cars in the school’s drop-off area and struck him.
Senobua had a blood alcohol level of.098, according to police. The legal limit in Nevada is.08.
Senobua pleaded guilty in March to driving under the influence, which resulted in death.
Local media outlets covered Wednesday’s emotionally charged sentencing hearing. Jasmyn Wolfe, Kamari’s mother, told the court about her grief over her son’s death.
“It’s like losing my breath, but never catching it again,” she muttered. “That day flashes before my eyes every time I close them.”
Senobua’s statement on his own behalf appeared to be a rambling screed of remorseless self-pity, according to local CBS affiliate KLAS.
Senobua, speaking through a Spanish translator, sparked outrage when he described his life after Kamari’s death.
“I have already lost everything,” Senobua informed District Judge Jessica Peterson. “I want them to know that my suffering is worse than theirs.”
Peterson responded that she was “appalled.”
“I can’t even believe what you just said,” the judge exclaimed. “He needs to understand this is not the time and place to try to tell the court why he’s suffering.”
The defense attorney suggested that Senobua’s words may have been lost in translation.
Senobua also attempted unsuccessfully to show a diagram of the incident and claimed that if he had seen Kamari, he would not have hit him.
“If you hadn’t jumped out of the car line and been impatient, it wouldn’t have happened,” Peterson chastised Senobua. “I’ve watched the video. “I don’t need a picture.”
The defendant apologized and asked for forgiveness. However, Kamari’s family did not believe his remorse was sincere.
The boy’s uncle, Robert Wolfe, stated, “We do not accept that apology because it was not heartfelt.”
Kamari’s obituary called him a “remarkable young boy who touched many lives with his bright smile, infectious laughter, and unconditional love.”
“He was always full of joy and had a big heart, making everyone around him feel included and loved,” according to the death notice. “He was a natural athlete, playing soccer and baseball and scoring home runs every game, and he had a special love for Transformers, Marvel characters, Huggy Wuggy, Pennywise, and cuddling with his Nana.”